About Plays4Joy
Teaming Up To Boost Kids’ Mental Health
About Plays4Joy
Teaming Up To Boost Kids’ Mental Health
Why. Kids Mental Health Matters
1 in 5 youth
have a mental
health condition1
2 in 5 high school
students report persistent
feelings of sadness2
1 in 5 youth
consider suicide and
youth suicide rises
8% each year2,3
Let’s help kids play, score confidence and find joy in life.
Plays4Joy
What does Plays4Joy mean?
activities that bring you joy
Practicing Plays4Joy brings joy into each day!
What is Joy?
7 Building Blocks of Joy
Plays4Joy is built on a proactive health foundation developed by an interprofessional team of healthcare professionals in collaboration with educators, athletes, families and kids. These seven Building Blocks of Joy are the pillars that guide our work—helping young people build confidence, connection + resilience through play.
Originally developed through our work in maternal health to help families understand how to support their well-being after a baby arrives, the Building Blocks have been adapted for Plays4Joy and fourth graders, bringing the same proactive approach to kids as they grow.
Click on the name of each Building Block of Joy to learn more.
Our Guiding Principles
Mission
To boost kids’ mental health by teaming up with professional, college, and Team USA athletes to inspire + empower young people with positive, proactive + practical strategies to thrive in life.
Vision
Empowering young people with joy through play, building confidence, connection + resilience.
Values
Finding Joy through Play
Building Confidence
Creating Connections
Growing Resilience
Get in the Game
There’s a way for everyone to get in the Plays4Joy game—Teaming Up To Boost Kids’ Mental Health!
Sign Up Today
Sign up for Plays4Joy today to be the first to receive our Joy of the Day, Challenge and Community updates each week. Questions? Contact Us.
Questions, Contact Us.
All donations to the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Partnership for Proactive Health are tax deductible (EIN: 88-1986700).
References: 1 Sappenfield O, Alberto C, Minnaert J, Donney J, Lebrun-Harris L, Ghandour R. National Survey of Children’s Health Adolescent Mental and Behavioral Health.; 2023. https://mchb.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/mchb/data-research/nsch-data-brief-adolescent-mental-behavioral-health-2023.pdf. 2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data
Summary & Trends Report: 2013–2023 . U .S . Department of Health and Human Services; 2024. 3 Ruch DAHorowitz LMHughes JL, et al. Suicide in US Preteens Aged 8 to 12 Years, 2001 to 2022. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(7):e2424664. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.24664.